Universal acts ‘Now’ on Bell spec script

U jumps on script before other bids materialize

In a deal worth mid- against high-six figures, Universal has made a preemptive purchase of “Your Life Is Now,” a romantic comedy spec script by Elisa Bell. Marc Platt will produce.

While Bell recently did a rewrite on “Once More With Feeling” at Fox, she is best known for penning “Thirty Wishes,” a spec script that became a hot auction property several years ago and landed at Universal with Michael J. Fox aboard to star and direct. That plan didn’t pan out, but Universal didn’t wait for competition to amass for “Your Life.” Led by Marc Platt Prods. prexy Abby Wolf and U exec veep Allison Brecker, the studio bought it before other bids mobilized.

The project is described as something of a cross between “Working Girl” and “The Graduate,” with a young female protagonist taking on the world after completing school. Bell is repped by ICM’s Todd Feldman and Mike Eisner, with attorney Melanie Cook.